“Hail, Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.”
Mary wakes from sleep to angel brilliance. In an instant she knows, and she accepts the holy life within her. The air is sweet and cool with the freshness of new beginnings. This unique life will be revered.
Tears of gratitude stream down her face as she ponders the awesome wonder of living and loving for humankind’s sake.
We remember the history. The Holy One knows the whole world of humankind and sees how the earth is ravaged, making life terrible for one another and turning many into ruins. Out of God’s infinite and eternal love, the Father sends the Son to enter all this, to save it. And then sends the announcement to Mary.
We look at all the people on the earth – races and ethnic groups; some at desks and some at wars; they laugh, play, weep, struggle; they are infants, grown, dying. God watches and feels.
We listen to the riot of sounds – music and machines; friendly chatter and angry shouting; computers and hand grenades; mobs and riots. God listens and thinks.
We move into the frantic activities of earth – speeding, constructing, fighting, playing, imploding. God works, laboring among humankind initiating hope with the promise of his Child.
God hopes in us as we remember, look and listen to our world. May God also open us to the blessings of new life promised first to Mary.
- Julia Keith